Burnett says interceptions for safeties will come

Jun. 10, 2014

Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette

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Morgan Burnett has no explanation for why the Packers’ safeties corps had no interceptions last season.

Burnett, who last year signed a new four-year contract that averages $5.89 million, had six interceptions combined in 36 games his first three NFL seasons. But he didn’t play up to his new deal last season and along with the rest of the Packers’ safeties was shut out on interceptions.

“We turned on the film, everyone did what they were supposed to do,” Burnett said. “You do your job. With interceptions, you have to understand, that’s going to come, and when they come, they come in bunches. You just stick to keeping your job, stay in position, don’t go chasing plays, because that’s when you start looking bad. There’s no pressure with that. The only thing we do is line up, play the defense and our interceptions will come.”

The Packers’ concern in their safety play showed in the offseason. They didn’t try to re-sign starter M.D. Jennings, moved Micah Hyde from cornerback to safety and drafted safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix with their first-round pick. So far this offseason Hyde has been taking the first snap at safety in team drills ahead of Clinton-Dix, though Clinton-Dix still has to be considered the favorite to win the job.

“Ha Ha, he’s a great athlete,” Burnett said. “You can see it from his college tape and even OTAs, you can see the way he moves around. He’s picking up the defense fast.”